13 Sessions Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549

Hillside Planned Development District

The city recognizes the intrinsic value and sensitive nature of its scenic hillsides and major ridgelines. They constitute significant natural topographical features and comprise a large part of the natural open space and scenic resources of the community because of their physical dominance of the city's landscape.; Clustered development where flexible regulations are applied can provide an opportunity for implementation of development which best meets the purpose of preserving the city's hillsides and ridgelines. For this reason, the city encourages development by means of the hillside planned development district H-P-D zoning classification.; By minimizing grading for roads and grouping dwelling units in the more stable and suitable areas where visibility to the public is minimal, habitat for wildlife and native vegetation can be protected, usable public open space can be provided and hillsides can be maintained in as nearly natural a condition as feasible consistent with development.; Each property has its own unique characteristics, including, but not limited to topography, tree-cover and visual impact. The regulations in this chapter are intended to provide flexibility in the treatment of the development of individual properties as indicated by their uniqueness rather than to provide a fixed set of strict standards applicable in the same manner to all properties.; These regulations are intended to allow diversification in the relationship of buildings, structures, lot sizes and open spaces while ensuring substantial compliance with the general plan and observing adequate standards necessary to satisfy the requirements of the public health, safety and general welfare without unduly inhibiting the advantages of integrated site planning.